Refining
Statoil awards feasibility study to Foster Wheeler for Norway refinery upgrade
The refinery upgrade project by Statoil aims to address crude feedstock flexibility requirements and to increase diesel production, including the production of ultra-low-sulfur diesel. The upgrade is expected to include the installation of a new vacuum distillation unit, together with new diesel hydrotreaters.
PetroChina senior executives under investigation for severe violations
The disclosure by PetroChina came one day after its state-owned parent, China National Petroleum Corp., said a fourth executive was under investigation for the same reason. The phrase "severe disciplinary violations" is typically used by Chinese officials when investigating cases of alleged corruption.
India's Reliance mulls expanded role in Venezuela
Venezuela is looking for Reliance's collaboration on the construction of the $10 billion Cabruta refinery, development of the Junin 1 bloc in the Orinoco heavy oil belt, as well as an expansion of the Petroanzoategui upgrader facility, said Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez, who also heads PdVSA.
Total Safety taps Western Refining site in Texas for safety innovation award
Total Safety, a global company focused on integrated industrial safety services, awards its Safety Innovation Award to companies that cutting-edge advancements in areas of safety.
Japan's JX to fuel power plant from refinery waste
Japan's JX Nippon plans to install equipment within the refinery to solidify and extract heavy oil left over after gasoline and light oil are produced from crude. It will also modify idle turbines and boilers on adjoining land to use the oil for power generation. The project will cost a total of Y25 billion.
Mexico to fine Pemex for monopolizing diesel, gasoline distribution
Antitrust commissioners voted 3-2 that Pemex's legal monopoly over the production and sale of motor fuels doesn't extend to distribution of the fuel, and that it can't force gas station owners to use its distribution network. The regulatory body gave Pemex 30 business days to present a plan for compliance.
Iraq seeks consultant to manage Nassiriya oil, refining project
The December auction is scheduled to include firms such as France's Total, Russia's Lukoil, India's Reliance Industries and ONGC Videsh and several from Japan. The ministry gave no details on the cost.
Gevo opens renewable paraxylene plant in Texas
The paraxylene facility is located adjacent to Gevo's existing jet fuel plant in Silsbee, Texas, and establishes the site as a biorefinery serving the renewable chemicals and true drop-in biofuels markets.
India's Hindustan shuts portion of Visakhapatnam refinery following fatal fire
Television news channel NDTV said a person was killed and 10 others were injured in the fire at the refinery in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam. The company has shut the refinery as a precautionary step and it is too early to estimate the loss from the fire, according to Hindustan officials.
US fuels demand surges to three-year high in July
US demand for distillate fuel, the umbrella group for diesel fuel and heating oil, rose 8% from a year earlier, to 3.835 million bpd, a six-year high for July. Within that figure, demand for ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, used to power trucks and trains, was 9.1% higher at 3.661 million bpd.
- CTCI awarded $417-MM EPC contract to build ethylene storage in Qatar 11/15
- Russian refineries cut oil runs due to losses, closures loom 11/15
- Spain's Moeve swings to quarterly loss on weak refining margins 11/15
- Asia naphtha supply expected to remain tight over next two years 11/15
- Countries, companies lag in response to tackle methane emissions, U.N. says 11/15
- U.S. energy draws up a wish list for new Trump administration 11/15
